Jumping in wouldn’t solve anything. It’s a troll. Whatever you do, they’ll spin it as negative. Jumped in? Such a fool. They were bluffing. They’ll spend a long time making a laughing stock of the new look. Don’t jump in? They’ll mock like they did before, trying to blame the heroes for any and all problems that the troll causes thereafter. The best way to engage the Troll is simply ignoring his request and having other people deal with it. If no other people are available, book him yourself if you can. The authorities are behind you to stop it… Read more »
Ignoring only works so far. If someone drives with a car towards you, you don’t solve the issue by ignoring it. In this case, there are even third parties involved. And if the authorities would be able to solve anything, there would be no need for heroes and vigilantes (unless you count the heroes to the authorities). Also, from a story-telling point it would be rare if such things “could” be solved by the authorities but that is only a minor point. I agree that the troll can spin any reaction however he want. But for the whole CAD 2.0… Read more »
Exactly. Trolls dont operate on regular logic and shame. They operate on “whatever gets the most people talking about me” logic. Thats all it is. It doesnt matter if its 30,000,000 calling him a monster or a saint, all that matters is that theres 30,000,000 people talking about him. So as long as The Troll is able to gather an audience, The Troll is winning as far as The Troll is concerned. The most toxic thing to a Troll is being ignored. To be tossed in some dark box and forgotten about. So that should be Lucas and Ethan’s goal… Read more »
Potentially effective ploy here would be to toss a detonation switch encased in something that slowly dissolves into the vat.
Gives just enough time for someone in the immediate proximity to jump in to get it out before it activates, but not enough time for outside intervention.
That is why it is stipulated that you need to go into action when necessary. This is not a normal troll.
foducool
2 days ago
guess it’s time for Ethan to figure out if his powers really disappeared or not
Stix
2 days ago
Pet peeve: chemicals aren’t magic.
Everything that you think of in common day terms as matter, is chemicals.
Call it a mixture, a formula, a solution, a toxic waste vat… but “chemicals” might as well be a pool filled with ketchup.
Sure, but this is comic book land, where mysterious glowing green vats are manufactured in open containers underneath walkways without handrails. It’s being used as shorthand for magical science goo.
That goes both ways though. It IS a chemical, thus it is a correct term for it.
It’s true something being a ‘chemical’ doesn’t say much by itself, but it is a perfectly acceptable way to refer to a substance. And the story provides plenty of context on what kind of chemical it is.
Besides, it’s not like your alternatives are any better. A pool of Ketchup can also be called a mixture, a formula, a solution, or a toxic waste vat. So can your morning coffee.
Normally I agree, but when there is specifically one glowing, green, harmful substance, I believe you can call it The Chemical as much as everything else
Mutagen, nerve acid, disfiguration substance, troll formula, green goo….
Chemicals is just so unspecific. It’s like threatening to overtake the city using an electronic device, and delivering your threats through a communication method.
I do think that this whole Trollifying thing is bullshit, as chemical damage is a function of exposure and medical attention, so you can’t expect someone exposed to the Chemical to suffer the exact same damage the Troll had, especially if the duration and way of exposure is different.
But first, the Troll is full of bullshit himself and second, the mechanics of this world is inherently different from ours
Ya, but this is magic goo. This is like the “gamma rays” that made the Hulk into, well, the Hulk. Gamma rays don’t actually do that to you, they instead give you either acute radiation sickness or cancer, depending on the intensity and duration of exposure. It’s all just magic science fiction plot device. It doesn’t make sense because that’s not how it works IRL, which is also why we don’t have superheroes and supervillains like that IRL, so there’s some implicit suspension of disbelief required for whatever plot device they choose to use for that purpose.
JozMk.II
2 days ago
I really enjoyed Lucas’s no-nonsense response to the Troll in the second-to-last panel. Has a Batman vibe to it.
Pretty crazy that he was able to set this all up, the huge tank with dangerous chemicals and such, without normal cops stopping him. I guess his troll-network is more vast and supportive than I thought, plus having Supers on his side surely also made a difference.
Yeah, but then we get into the question of if those are dangerous chemicals. It’s like the Ethan Injection all over again: Did Troll really manage to get his hands on toxic waste, or just a lot of that fluid they use in glow sticks?
Robert
2 days ago
The interesting thing for me is: How are the trolls companions not catching that now they´re really on the bad side of things, not just being a bit sideways with the law. They had a sense of justice that was bent. But not like “yeah let´s kill a lot of innocent people lol”.
Well, they are certainly not the first half-decent fellows, who chose to throw it all away for revenge. The Troll wouldn’t need much beyond the simple “it’s all a bluff just to punish the so called heroes, no real danger to civvies” argument to win them over. Even if that too is a lie.
What are you expecting them to catch onto? The ‘reluctant criminal that doesn’t really want to do crime’ is a neat trope, but it doesn’t really apply here. Neither of them ever cared much about the law. Alex didn’t turn to bank robbery to avoid hurting people, it was just the easiest method for him to get the money he wanted. And Elijah had already become a serial killer last time we saw him. Besides, it’s all a matter of perspective. Get a warped enough view, and a lot of unreasonable things can seem disturbingly reasonable. You call it killing… Read more »
Of note: So far, The Troll has not said the “or else” part out loud in front of them, so they might not know exactly what the threat is. This may or may not become relevant soon.
Daniel
2 days ago
Who he’s fooling? His two supervillains and at least three goons. Unwise position for Elijah and Alex, though. Leaning ominously on high platform at the sides of the Troll? Very affective if you want the heroes to ask you “But why?” why so you can have your villain’s monologue, but you’re also on plain sight. The very point of being a speedster is that you’re invulnerable as long as no one attacks you in surprise. Same for Alex, that can literally stay underground until he’s needed. If there was a sniper or a superhero with sniper-like powers (laser eyes and… Read more »
Yeah strategy and tactics goes out the windows with superheros.
Sweetos
2 days ago
He’s a troll and a mad villain… the simple solution would be a bullet, but they are heroes so… wait, there was a hero in this comic that kills bad guys?!
I think whether he gets along with them doesn’t matter. The registered heroes all seem to have one hand busy. Taking a look at modern examples, government-level action could just cut troll’s platforms. Even a blanket tankdown to remove audience. Blame on an unfortunately timed attack on tiktok servers. And, if anything persists to push an upload, it would be even more a beacon of accomplices. Cut general communication through cell towers or outright shut them down, allow specific channels only that are actively monitored. I think the biggest fantasy of this comic situation is that the tactics used are… Read more »
Last edited 1 day ago by Cypher
DerGrimmigeZwerg
2 days ago
Won’t get any traction though, unless he claims it’s a potpourri of 6-7 chemicals in there.
alexcabsha
1 day ago
could anyone remember who is the other guy? (no the troll and Elijah)
I had the theory that Ethan will regain his power from the Chemical and lightning (suppose this is the thunderess power), but it is somewhat far fetched
Daniel
1 hour ago
Look at the body language: The Troll is running a show, Alex is eager to revenge, but Elijah shows apathy, his face hidden
24
Guess this is Ethan’s chance to take a leap of faith and jump into the chemicals.
It would be a bitter humiliation for the troll, seeing that Ethan is no longer bound by his mind games. Assuming he does it with confidence.
Jumping in wouldn’t solve anything. It’s a troll. Whatever you do, they’ll spin it as negative. Jumped in? Such a fool. They were bluffing. They’ll spend a long time making a laughing stock of the new look. Don’t jump in? They’ll mock like they did before, trying to blame the heroes for any and all problems that the troll causes thereafter. The best way to engage the Troll is simply ignoring his request and having other people deal with it. If no other people are available, book him yourself if you can. The authorities are behind you to stop it… Read more »
Ignoring only works so far. If someone drives with a car towards you, you don’t solve the issue by ignoring it. In this case, there are even third parties involved. And if the authorities would be able to solve anything, there would be no need for heroes and vigilantes (unless you count the heroes to the authorities). Also, from a story-telling point it would be rare if such things “could” be solved by the authorities but that is only a minor point. I agree that the troll can spin any reaction however he want. But for the whole CAD 2.0… Read more »
Exactly. Trolls dont operate on regular logic and shame. They operate on “whatever gets the most people talking about me” logic. Thats all it is. It doesnt matter if its 30,000,000 calling him a monster or a saint, all that matters is that theres 30,000,000 people talking about him. So as long as The Troll is able to gather an audience, The Troll is winning as far as The Troll is concerned. The most toxic thing to a Troll is being ignored. To be tossed in some dark box and forgotten about. So that should be Lucas and Ethan’s goal… Read more »
Potentially effective ploy here would be to toss a detonation switch encased in something that slowly dissolves into the vat.
Gives just enough time for someone in the immediate proximity to jump in to get it out before it activates, but not enough time for outside intervention.
They tried to ignore him before, and I think that his retaliation is what got his face damaged
That is why it is stipulated that you need to go into action when necessary. This is not a normal troll.
guess it’s time for Ethan to figure out if his powers really disappeared or not
Pet peeve: chemicals aren’t magic.
Everything that you think of in common day terms as matter, is chemicals.
Call it a mixture, a formula, a solution, a toxic waste vat… but “chemicals” might as well be a pool filled with ketchup.
Sure, but this is comic book land, where mysterious glowing green vats are manufactured in open containers underneath walkways without handrails. It’s being used as shorthand for magical science goo.
A vat IS a container…
Unless it’s a Tax.
That goes both ways though. It IS a chemical, thus it is a correct term for it.
It’s true something being a ‘chemical’ doesn’t say much by itself, but it is a perfectly acceptable way to refer to a substance. And the story provides plenty of context on what kind of chemical it is.
Besides, it’s not like your alternatives are any better. A pool of Ketchup can also be called a mixture, a formula, a solution, or a toxic waste vat. So can your morning coffee.
Normally I agree, but when there is specifically one glowing, green, harmful substance, I believe you can call it The Chemical as much as everything else
Mutagen, nerve acid, disfiguration substance, troll formula, green goo….
Chemicals is just so unspecific. It’s like threatening to overtake the city using an electronic device, and delivering your threats through a communication method.
I do think that this whole Trollifying thing is bullshit, as chemical damage is a function of exposure and medical attention, so you can’t expect someone exposed to the Chemical to suffer the exact same damage the Troll had, especially if the duration and way of exposure is different.
But first, the Troll is full of bullshit himself and second, the mechanics of this world is inherently different from ours
Ya, but this is magic goo. This is like the “gamma rays” that made the Hulk into, well, the Hulk. Gamma rays don’t actually do that to you, they instead give you either acute radiation sickness or cancer, depending on the intensity and duration of exposure. It’s all just magic science fiction plot device. It doesn’t make sense because that’s not how it works IRL, which is also why we don’t have superheroes and supervillains like that IRL, so there’s some implicit suspension of disbelief required for whatever plot device they choose to use for that purpose.
I really enjoyed Lucas’s no-nonsense response to the Troll in the second-to-last panel. Has a Batman vibe to it.
….what
Yeah.
Me too.
Pretty crazy that he was able to set this all up, the huge tank with dangerous chemicals and such, without normal cops stopping him. I guess his troll-network is more vast and supportive than I thought, plus having Supers on his side surely also made a difference.
Yeah, but then we get into the question of if those are dangerous chemicals. It’s like the Ethan Injection all over again: Did Troll really manage to get his hands on toxic waste, or just a lot of that fluid they use in glow sticks?
The interesting thing for me is: How are the trolls companions not catching that now they´re really on the bad side of things, not just being a bit sideways with the law. They had a sense of justice that was bent. But not like “yeah let´s kill a lot of innocent people lol”.
Well, they are certainly not the first half-decent fellows, who chose to throw it all away for revenge. The Troll wouldn’t need much beyond the simple “it’s all a bluff just to punish the so called heroes, no real danger to civvies” argument to win them over. Even if that too is a lie.
What are you expecting them to catch onto? The ‘reluctant criminal that doesn’t really want to do crime’ is a neat trope, but it doesn’t really apply here. Neither of them ever cared much about the law. Alex didn’t turn to bank robbery to avoid hurting people, it was just the easiest method for him to get the money he wanted. And Elijah had already become a serial killer last time we saw him. Besides, it’s all a matter of perspective. Get a warped enough view, and a lot of unreasonable things can seem disturbingly reasonable. You call it killing… Read more »
Of note: So far, The Troll has not said the “or else” part out loud in front of them, so they might not know exactly what the threat is. This may or may not become relevant soon.
Who he’s fooling? His two supervillains and at least three goons. Unwise position for Elijah and Alex, though. Leaning ominously on high platform at the sides of the Troll? Very affective if you want the heroes to ask you “But why?” why so you can have your villain’s monologue, but you’re also on plain sight. The very point of being a speedster is that you’re invulnerable as long as no one attacks you in surprise. Same for Alex, that can literally stay underground until he’s needed. If there was a sniper or a superhero with sniper-like powers (laser eyes and… Read more »
Lucas could literally just use arrows to knock out the scaffolding under them, don’t even need a sniper.
Yeah strategy and tactics goes out the windows with superheros.
He’s a troll and a mad villain… the simple solution would be a bullet, but they are heroes so… wait, there was a hero in this comic that kills bad guys?!
Deathblood arriving on the scene would certainly spice up this story. But he probably doesn’t get along with the city registered heroes.
I think whether he gets along with them doesn’t matter. The registered heroes all seem to have one hand busy. Taking a look at modern examples, government-level action could just cut troll’s platforms. Even a blanket tankdown to remove audience. Blame on an unfortunately timed attack on tiktok servers. And, if anything persists to push an upload, it would be even more a beacon of accomplices. Cut general communication through cell towers or outright shut them down, allow specific channels only that are actively monitored. I think the biggest fantasy of this comic situation is that the tactics used are… Read more »
Won’t get any traction though, unless he claims it’s a potpourri of 6-7 chemicals in there.
could anyone remember who is the other guy? (no the troll and Elijah)
Alex Nguyen. It’s mentioned here:
https://cad-comic.com/comic/matched-p21/
So Many glow sticks in there…
Aren’t these the same chemicals that gave the two their powers in the first place? Wouldn’t that make them stronger? 👀
I had the theory that Ethan will regain his power from the Chemical and lightning (suppose this is the thunderess power), but it is somewhat far fetched
Look at the body language: The Troll is running a show, Alex is eager to revenge, but Elijah shows apathy, his face hidden